MLF Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Set for Lake Chickamauga

The second event of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central division is set to take place next week, March 18-20, at Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tennessee – the Toyota Series at Lake Chickamauga.

The three-day tournament, hosted by the Rhea County Department of Tourism – Fish Dayton, will showcase the region’s top bass-fishing boaters and co-anglers competing for a grand prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division and a new Phoenix 518 Pro boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor plus $5,000 in the co-angler division.

The tournament is shaping up to be a classic spring showdown, but pro Kevin Drake of Cleveland, Tennessee, who has six top-10 finishes on Lake Chickamauga in MLF competition, says that anglers should stay ready for anything.

"For the most part, everything should still be pre-spawn," Drake explained. "I wouldn’t be surprised if a few early spawners show up, but this time of year, the majority are still staging."

Weather will play a key role in determining the winning patterns in this event. A forecast of potential thunderstorms and rain could lead to higher, dirtier water levels, drastically changing the playing field.

“If the water comes up and gets dirty, I’ll be looking for fish on shallow structure, like shell beds and flats,” Drake said.

On the other hand, stable conditions might shift his focus to deeper drop-offs and suspending fish visible on forward-facing sonar. The changing conditions will also very much influence the weights anglers bring to the scales.


"If it stays stable, I think it could take 70 to 80 pounds to win over three days," Drake predicted. "But if it gets muddy, it might take less – maybe in the 55 to 60-pound range. Either way, someone will find them.”


Drake said that having the right mix of baits is critical for success.


“I’ll definitely have a bladed jig, crankbait, and a swimbait tied on,” he said. “You’ve got to be ready for anything, and this lake can get really tough, so you have to keep grinding.”


Anglers will begin each day at 7:30 a.m. ET, launching from the Dayton Boat Dock at 175 Lakeshore St. in Dayton. Weigh-ins will take place at the same location, starting at 3:30 p.m. daily. Fans are invited to attend in person and can also stay connected by following the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily updates on MajorLeagueFishing.com.


In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of up to $75,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of up to $100,000, if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard plus $5,000 cash.


The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and the Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the five divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2026. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2025 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 6-8 on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, and is hosted by the City of Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau.


Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.


For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.